Over the past four years, I have changed. I started out as shy, nervous, afraid to talk to anyone new, and terrified of leading. Now, while I can still be timid and nervous at times, I have grown in my ability to talk with new people and serve the church. While there have been plenty of other events that have shaped me, God greatly used the Covenanter Young People’s Union (CYPU) and those involved in it to help mold me into who I am today.

Fall Ministry

One of the greatest impacts CYPU had on me was through the fall ministry project. At first I was skeptical about the event. After all, who wants to give up their weekend to go work and serve? My parents knew how good the event would be for me and forced me, in my freshman year, to go to my first CYPU event. I remember driving to Second RPC in Indianapolis, Ind., wondering about who I would talk to, who I knew, and what was going to happen.

We started by playing games, which I usually despised doing. Several seniors noticed how many freshmen, including myself, were uncomfortable and awkward. They took us under their wings, gently forced us to participate, and overall made the weekend wonderful.

Of the three fall ministry trips I have been on, all have included long days, digging up bushes and stumps (yes, at each location), and clearing out fences. We cleaned church buildings, ate excellent meals, and had fun times of fellowship. Each time I had wonderful hosts and a chance to worship with the congregation.

Is it crazy for someone to give up a precious weekend of their time to serve? No, those few days were fun weekends because of the wonderful talks and sermons, new people and congregations, early mornings and marshmallow cooking contests, and hard work completed.

Instead of spending those days being selfish, the time was spent serving, giving up, and sacrificing for others. I was helping others rather than myself. Like it says in 1 Corinthians 12, we are all members of one body. The church needs everyone. Young people need to learn to serve alongside and participate with other parts of the church, even those who may be hard to relate to.

Leadership Team

During my sophomore year, I was blessed with the opportunity to serve on the student leadership team. Through this experience, I learned how important communication is, how to better serve, and how much work it takes to plan and execute events. Making sure real cheese instead of processed cheese is bought, planning and buying decorations for the theme dinner, contacting speakers and counselors, and preparing a testimony were some of the many tasks that had to be done. Although we worked hard as a team, apart from Gods’ grace the team alone could not create a great event and could not change anyone’s heart. We depended on the Holy Spirit and His effective work.

As a leader, I was placed in the spotlight and was kept accountable for encouraging and lifting people up. Talking to and involving new freshmen or first timers was another role that fell upon us leaders. I often remembered those seniors who warmly welcomed me as a shy freshman, and I attempted to include younger participants. I was also forced to overcome some of my fear of speaking in front of people and leading groups. This included leading prayer and praise at events, organizing games, or even speaking in front of everyone.

God has used my involvement in CYPU to impact my life. I am eager to see other high schoolers transformed as they help others and are impacted by the ministry of CYPU.

Nadia Spirydovich is a high school senior, lives in West Lafayette, Ind., and attends Immanuel RPC. CYPU is traditionally the Covenanter Young People’s Union, a young people’s group sponsored by many Reformed Presbyterian congregations.